Czech WJC team will need CHL help

By Robert Neuhauser

December 2nd, 2001

After the home tournament in Olomouc and Prostejov, Czech Under-20 team head coach JaroslavHolik stated that there will be changes needed before the last preparational tournamentfor the upcoming the WJC that was held in Vaasa, Finland. Now we see that the changes will have to bemore serious. The Czech team finished at the last place again and that makes lots of Czechfans, who are hoping in keeping the WJC gold medal streak alive, quite mad. They want tosee their players fight for gold and not to struggle. So let’s have a look who could be namedto the final roster and there will be lots of CHL names there. They are more needed thanever. The Czechs don’t have a very strong 1982 birthyear and with the problems the teamsbuild of players playing in Europe had expect at least seven CHL players to make the team.The only problem is that the arrival of Columbus Blue Jackets’ blueliner Rostislav Kleslaand Colorado Avalache left wing (but played his whole career at center) Vaclav Nedorostremain a dream. So who is the reality?

Goaltenders

Lukas Hronek – HC Slavia Praha goalie got his chance after the starter Roman Malek suffereda broken jaw and he stunned the Extraleague with his savvy play and spectacular saves.Along with Martin Barek played for all junior teams consisting of 1982 born players. A verymature goalie for his age with exceptional quickness and reflexes, Lukas couldn’t play inFinland because of an injury but he seems to be a lock on the WJC team.

Martin Barek – Barek backstopped Pardubice juniors on their championship run in the juniorExtraleague last season and he also has a good chance of making the team. With Hronek thepossible starter Barek would have to handle the backup role, something he isn’t very usedto. But Martin can jump in and win a game, he is mentally very focused and can handlestress game situations and doesn’t panic. A goalie with good skills and reflexes who wouldbe a very solid backup to Hronek.

Michal Fikrt – Litvinov juniors starter’s star is on the rise. Michal Fikrt will challengeBarek for the backup position, his problem is that Barek has more experience with internationalplay. Else Fikrt is an agile goalie who likes to challenge the shooter and has very fastreflexes.

Defensemen

Libor Ustrnul – “Drago” formed along with Rostislav Klesla the best Czech defensive pairingat the last WJC. Hulking Plymouth Whalers rearguard will be relied upon heavily and hissize and bone-crushing hits will be a huge boost for the Czech defense. A stay-at-homedefenseman with an ability to play hard is very good to be paired with a rusher. Ustrnulis a lock to make the team, only an injury would prevent him from participating.

Lukas Krajicek – the player who could be paired with Ustrnul, when looking at the playingstyle. The Florida Panthers first-rounder is a smooth puck-moving blueliner with verygood skating and passing abilities and a player who can support the offense a lot. Willbe one of the Czech powerplay quarterbacks and will be on the ice when an offensivedefenseman will be needed. Either him or Filip Novak are to fill Rostislav Klesla’s shoes in a pair with Ustrnuland Krajicek has nearly the same skill.

Filip Novak – the Regina Pats’ defenseman was prevented from taking part in the last WJConly due to the fact that his parent Czech club, Ceske Budejovice didn’t give himpermission because he left for the WHL even if he was under contract. Another great offensivedefenseman, Novak’s numbers in the WHL get better and better and the player with a superbpuckhandling ability, vision and sense will be the bright star of the defense.

Tomas Mojzis – the last CHL playing defenseman on the team in my opinion. His sound two-waygame and a good passing ability make him a candidate for the WJC team. With the troubleon defense Mojzis has a good chance of making the team, else his chances would drop downa bit. Mojzis is still quite raw, but his passes will help the team.

Miroslav Blatak – a Detroit Red Wings prospect that splits time between the Zlin juniorsand seniors this season. One of the defensemen playing in Europe that can be expected to makethe team. Blatak is positionally sound, keeps the play simple and can support the offense.A very good two-way defenseman but not a sure WJC candidate.

Lukas Chmelir – an alternate captain of the last Czech Under-18 WJC team, Chmelir playssparingly in the Extraleague for Vitkovice, more for the junior team. Lukas can make smartoutlet passes and is very good defensively, but he lacks size. Even then I think thatJaroslav Holik should oversee this fact and select this Czech patriot who plays with lotsof heart and determination to the team. Leaders are needed.

Jan Hanzlik – the injury-plagued Sparta Praha rearguard faces his last chance to play atthe WJC. If it wasn’t for his defensive savvy and a smart two-way game with very solidpassing skills the undersized Hanzlik would have trouble with the nomination. If he can behealthy coming the WJC Hanzlik could unseat either Lukas Chmelir, Lukas Pozivil or Miroslav Blatak whenhis Extraleague experience helps him enough.

Ondrej Nemec – here is the question if the 2002 prospect isn’t too young for the WJC at only17 years of age. With the injury of Vsetin vet Alexei Yashkin Nemec played his way into theExtraleague and is able to stick with the senior team. Nemec isn’t too big but extremlygood offensively with a hard accurate slap shot and very smart passing skills. Ondrejplays with intensity, determination and toughness but lacks size. His plus is the regular playin the Extraleague, the downside is his young age.

Petr Puncochar – drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks, Puncochar made his way into the KarlovyVary seniors defensive rotation. The same case as Nemec, only one year older. PetrPuncochar can take care of his own end plus gives superb offensive support as a bonus.The less skilled version of Lukas Krajicek again lacks size. Puncochar is stocky and iswilling to play hard, but can be outplayed by bigger and meaner opposition.

Lukas Pozivil – quite surprisingly Lukas Pozivil won the spot in the Litvinov senior teamover Toronto draftee Vaclav Zavoral and he is able to maintain that spot. Pozivil has alimited offensive upside and he tries to concentrate on defense. Lukas is solid defensivelybut has to play with more aggresivity and determination. Will need luck if he wants toplay at the WJC.

Zbynek Michalek – a bit of an unknown prospect but Zbynek staedily develops into one ofthe better QMJHL offensive defensemen. A mature player who good vision and passing skillswas signed by the Minnesota Wild in the summer.Right now Michalek averages nearly one point progame and it’s up to Jaroslav Holik to decide if there aren’t too much offensive defensemen.But if he needs one, there is one handy.

Forwards

Tomas Plihal – the former Liberec center/left wing took the WHL by storm in his rookieseason and he is leading the WHL rookies in scoring. The Kootenay ICE forward improved a lotin comparison with the last year and he plays a very good mix of skill and toughness. Plihalis also very solid in the faceoff circle and even if one year younger, the San Jose Sharksdraft pick has very good chances of being selected.

Ales Hemsky – if it wasn’t for his attitude, Ales Hemsky would be a total lock of making theteam. According to what is being said Hemsky didn’t show much willingness to play forhis native country at the Under-18 WJC this April but hope this changed with the new season.The ultimate offensive weapon, Hemsky, a right-shooting right wing is a flashy forward witha knack for scoring goals and making smart passes. He has to be more patriotic but mostlikely this won’t prevent him from making the trip home.

Martin Podlesak – the giant Lethbridge Hurricane captained the Czech Under-20 team at thefirst tourney in August. The center with a terrific size is a very good skater for hissize and almost impossible to get knocked off the puck. Podlesak handles the puck extremlywell and his ability to play in high traffic makes him an even more attractive addition.Size, skill and toughness, a no-brainer for Jaroslav Holik.

Jiri Jakes – the less skilled version of Podlesak plays a typical Canadian style ofhockey. Jakes, a Boston Bruins draft pick is a hard-hitting left winger who looks forloose pucks in front of the net and fights along the boards but isn’t blessed with the sameskill as most of the players. Holik will name him only if he will need a hard-working toughhitter. I think he needs him.

Frantisek Lukes – a diminutive winger but the Phoenix Coyotes draftee has a nose for thenet plus he skates like the wind so these facts may be enough for coach Holik to selecthim. Lukes can hope in being named, it is no sure thing but the flashy, highly skilledspeedster knows how to score goals and along with Tomas Plekanec they were the top snipersfor all junior teams consisting of 1982 born players.

Petr Taticek – a highly regarded 2002 prospect faces the fact that Jaroslav Holik doesn’tselect CHL rookies to the team often. In fact, Taticek would be the first CHL rookie to makethe team under coach Holik ever. But as a late 1983 born the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds center presentsa very mature game with perfect playmaking skills plus his size as a bonus. A mix of speed,skill and size, Taticek will be a lock next year, this time he’ll need a piece of luck tobe chosen to perform at the WJC.

Tomas Plekanec – the diminutive Kladno rocket captained the team after Podlesak’s depart forLethbridge at the last two tournaments. Plekanec plays his second full season in theExtraleague and is a member of the last WJC winning team. Here the question isn’t if he’llbe selected, more likely if he’ll be the captain of the squad. The Montreal Canadiens talentis a fast skater and a slick puckhandler with exceptional smarts, only that he comes thrua sub-par season this year.

Jiri Novotny – after overcoming an injury Jiri suffered at the Under-20 tournament inSeptember he became one of the leading forces of Ceske Budejovice in the Extraleague. Blessedwith great size and mobility, Novotny develops steadily into a playmaking center and afaceoff whiz. The only trouble is that he still didn’t found his scoring touch in theExtraleague and the productivity is lacking. Still a great two-way forward with leadershipskills, maybe an alternate captain this year and the captain in 2003.

Tomas Netik – the Sparta Praha winger doesn’t see lots of ice time in the Extraleague asSparta tends to let experienced players earn their portion of playing time. Netik improveda lot during the last two seasons and his terrific vision to go along with soft hands shouldbe taken into account. Netik takes pride in his offensive play and his deceptive puck skillsand elusive moves make often the opposing defenses look foolish.

Miloslav Horava – after the arrival of head coach Jaromir Sindel Horava found himselfplaying on the top two lines of Kladno in the Extraleague, boosting his confidence. Havingspent the start of the season in the Div I league in Beroun, Horava now thinks he isExtraleague ready. A solid skater who can score and pass equally well, Horava has bothhard accurate shot and finishing skills. Another two-way forward, Horava is expected tomake the team.

Jiri Hudler – no argue that this 2002 blue-chipper should make the team. One of the topforward prospects in Czech hockey ever, Hudler leads Vsetin senior team in scoring and isno doubt the top junior-aged player in the Extraleague. Jiri plays regularly for the Under-20team and he is an extremly smart offensive forward who makes plays happen like he wantsto and has almost no weakness except of his smallish stature.

Martin Frolik – the versatile Kladno forward is a player who can also overtake the grinderrole and give all his efforts for the team. Frolik is a very good skater and a goodstickhandler who won’t hurt you defensively. He is a creative forward who is solid in thefaceoff circle.With so many stars on the team someone has tofill the grinding role and Martin Frolik could be the frontrunner for this position.

Jan Svik – after a very solid second half of the last season Svik found himself on the bubblein the Plzen team this season. His play for the Under-20 team is better than in theExtraleague but there are still serious concerns about his performance which can preventhim from participating. Svik tends to make bad decisions sometimes and he has to furtherimprove his defensive play. On the offensive side Jan is solid, with above-average passingskills.

Petr Domin – another candidate for the grinder role. The Karlovy Vary towering center stilldoesn’t see regular ice time in the Extraleague. Domin has to further improve his skatingand mobility but could fill the grinder role quite well. Domin can play hard and iswilling to play defensively. Petr Domin is in the mold of Jiri Jakes, only more skilledand it is doubtful if it is necessary to have two players of this style on the team.

Jan Bohac – won the 2000 WJC title as a 17-year old, got drafted by the Ottawa Senatorsbut his development was hampered by injuries and nearly came to a stop. Bohac was loanedby the Trinec team from Slavia Praha and had a good preseason but is frequently benchedin the Extraleague. Bohac has the size and skill but has to work on his skating and mostlyon his productivity, Bohac has trouble with scoring goals and his WJC chances are quite low.

Petr Vampola – the Vsetin winger performed at the last Under-20 tournament and after a stellarplay in the junior Extraleague Vampola now plays also for the Vsetin seniors. The fast, creativeforward with a nose for the net can be easily the odd man out, though. Vampola’s chancesremain quite low, there are bigger names on the roster, especially from the CHL.

Michal Vondrka – when the Ceske Budejovice senior team uses all four lines, then Michal Vondrkahas a chance to play, else he is benched. The smart two-way forward has to work on hisdecision making but shows a solid game with few mistakes, even if Michal is still a bit raw.Vondrka is a darkhorse, he can easily surprise and Jaroslav Holik can select him to the team.But it’s not a sure thing.

Radek Dlouhy – the Slavia Praha forward is playing this season in the Div I league, whichis a strategy of Slavia, to leave the 1982 born prospects play in the Div I league instead ofthe Junior Extraleague. Radek is a forward with very solid passing and playmaking skills.Dlouhy didn’t spent a long time in the 1982 born national teams plus he doesn’t playin the Extraleague which are facts which speak against him.

Petr Jaros – another Slavia Praha player who was demoted to the Div I league. In oppositeto Dlouhy Jaros is more of a goalscorer and he has a good shooting arsenal. Jaros doesn’thesitate to shoot but is also a solid passer. His problem is the lack of defensive play.Jaros doesn’t have very high chances of making the team, playing on a checking linewouldn’t suit him well.